Carbon Monoxide Poisoning More Likely During Fall & Winter

Carbon Monoxide poisoning is more likely to occur during the fall and winter months, when people are more likely to use gas furnaces, heaters and generators in their homes. It can be a frightening situation because it’s odorless and colorless. The most common symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure can include nausea, headaches and dizziness. These…

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EPA Issues Guidance for Methamphetamine Lab Cleanups

EPA has issued a document providing state and local governments with technical guidance for methamphetamine lab cleanups. The document, titled Voluntary Guidelines for Methamphetamine Laboratory Cleanup, is based on an extensive review of the best available science and practices for cleanup. Other issues included are best practices for specific items or materials, sampling procedures, and…

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New Home Worry: Was It Once Used as a Methamphetamine Lab

The New York Times WINCHESTER, Tenn. — The spacious home where the newly wed Rhonda and Jason Holt began their family in 2005 was plagued by mysterious illnesses. The Holts’ three babies were ghostlike and listless, with breathing problems that called for respirators, repeated trips to the emergency room and, for the middle child, Anna,…

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NM Methamphetamine Inspection and Remediation Regulations Enacted

As of January 1, 2008 the New Mexico Environment Department enacted the New Mexico Methamphetamine Inspection and Remediation regulations.  These regulations were adopted from the City of Albuquerque standard, which has been in affect since 2003.  These regulations requires the proper inspection of a building identified as potentially contaminated by Methamphetamine.  Specific requirements are set…

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Methamphetamine Remediation Research Act of 2007

National – In an effort to assist state and local authorities in cleaning up the scourge of methamphetamine use and production in their local communities, Chairman Gordon authored legislation initiating standards for meth clean-up.  This legislation passed the full House in the 109th Congress (H.R. 798) and was reintroduced in the 110th Congress.

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Rising Rate of Meth Labs in US

The discovery of Methamphetamine labs throughout the United States is on the rise. In Albuquerque, New Mexico a total of Fourteen (14) labs were raided in a two (2) week period in September 2003. Proper initial testing, remediation, and final inspections are necessary in order for the property owner to reduce their liability when renting…

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A Transaction Screen May Be Preferable To A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment

October 2001 In the coming days Congress is expected to enact, for the first time, statutory authority clarifying what deems a person to have undertaken all appropriate inquiry to satisfy a defense to Superfund (CERCLA) liability. A “Transaction Screen” may well satisfy the appropriate inquiry standard. Transaction Screen is a term of art for a…

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Superfund Sites

A historic settlement announced today with the Kerr-McGee Corporation and certain of its affiliates and their parent Anadarko Petroleum Corporation will greatly benefit environmental cleanups at superfund sites and reimburse the federal government for substantial cleanup costs. The defendants agree to pay $5.15 billion to settle the case, of which approximately $4.4 billion will be…

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Amended All Appropriate Inquiries (AAI) Rule

National – On December 30, 2013, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) amended its All Appropriate Inquiries (AAI) Rule, codified in 40 CFR Part 312, to include a specific reference to the updated ASTM International Standard E1527-13 for Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESA). The amendment establishes that compliance by qualified “environmental professionals” with the…

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ASTM E1527 Standard Steps Closer to Revised Version

A month and a half after the close of voting on a revised version, the ASTM E1527 Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Standard is getting closer to being issued with changes for 2013. In October, the task group met at ASTM Committee Week meetings in Atlanta, GA. to discuss negative votes and comments on a…

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